FAMOUS fighting force the Gurkhas enrolled a Redcar gents’ outfitters to suit and boot its latest recruits.

Greenwoods Menswear in Redcar High Street received the bumper order to supply 176 suits, shirts and shoes in just 14 days.

The soldiers are given the suits to mark the end of their first seven weeks of training.

Often dubbed Britain’s most fearsome fighting force, Gurkhas have been based at Catterick since 1999.

And Greenwoods kitted the latest recruits out so well, further business has already come the way of the 50-year-old store, with a follow-up order placed for more than 20 permanent staff.

Shop manager Tony Regan, who himself served with The Royal Engineers for eight years, said: “The call came out of the blue when one of their officers contacted the shop. We went down and measured all 176 of them. I’d certainly never measured so many people in one go before.

“It’s great news for a small High Street shop like ours and a great lift for the town which has also helped bring business to other shops. As I’m part of this community, I wanted to keep it in the town.”

Mr Regan, who acknowledged the help given by other Greenwoods shops in the area, has now been presented with a Gurkhas plaque.

Allison Hirst of Marske, managing director of Redcar clothing firm Quickastitch, was asked to alter the suits to fit the soldiers’ traditionally smaller frames. She said: “We had to put a few hours in but it was great fun.”

Greenwoods commercial manager, former RAF policeman John Clark, said: “I’ve been in retail a long time and it was one of the most humbling experiences of my life.”

Mr Clark said Greenwoods shops in the North-east had dealt with the Gurkhas since they came to Catterick, but not on such a scale.

“The captains have bought a few suits in the past and we’ve built up a rapport. They used to get blazers but decided to go for something more traditional this time, so we offered them a three piece Italian style Milan suit in charcoal grey - complete with shirt and shoes.

The Brigade of Gurkhas is the term for units of the British Army composed of Nepalese soldiers.